WHAT IS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE?

According to the American Journal of Public Health, emergency preparedness and response
is the capability of the public health and health care systems, communities, and
individuals, to prevent, protect against, quickly respond to, and recover from health
emergencies, particularly those whose scale, timing, or unpredictability threatens
to overwhelm routine capabilities. Preparedness involves a coordinated and continuous
process of planning and implementation that relies on measuring performance and
taking corrective action.

Emergency planning has become increasingly important in the United States due to
changing and often unpredictable weather patterns, new disease threats, and the
rise of global terrorism.

The responsibility for the preparedness of the nation’s communities lies in all
of us. From governmental agencies to community residents, to local businesses, emergency
preparedness and response is a coordinated effort and requires cooperation and participation
from all sectors.